Lake Irwin Campground is bordered on the eastern side by Lake Irwin and the western side by the Ruby Mountain Range. This rugged terrain provides challenging mountain biking and hiking. The lake is usually so full of fish you can see them rise to the calm surface. The area is very picturesque and filled with wildflowers in July and August.

Directions from Crested Butte: From Highway 135 turn left on to Whiterock Avenue. Drive west leaving Crested Butte. This turns into Kebler Pass Road. Follow Kebler Pass 5 miles from Crested Butte to Forest Road 826. Follow 826 to the right as it splits from Kebler Pass Road. This will take you toward Lake Irwin and the campground.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Services Available:
Late June through September .

Fee Information

Type

Price

Remarks

Camping, Single Unit

Call for Current Fee

Facilities include parking spu

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Add your own trip Report!Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others.
This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip reportNumber of People Encountered: 0-10 pplRecommend to a Friend: HighlyReport: Filed By: Mike McGee
(Amarillo, TX)
Number of People Encountered: 50+ pplRecommend to a Friend: HighlyReport: The lake was wondeful and fishing really great from the bank or float tubes. You must take the hike beyond the Resort to Green lake to see the waterfall and wild flowers. Easy hike for the greatest picutes ever!!!! Five bears in and out of camping area! Be safe. Conditions: The two mile section of road leading up to Lake Irwin can get rough, but was just recently graded.Water Availability: Hand Pump!!! lotta work. Fill your water cans or camper up in town by the tennis courts on the west side. If you must you pumps, use the pump at the top of the hill by site 13.. Takes half the time to prime.Filed By: Lee Number of People Encountered: 50+ pplRecommend to a Friend: HighlyReport: One of the most beautiful places I have seen! Gets pretty full on the weekend, we happened to luck out and got a campsite-I would recommend reservations. Nice hike around the lake, great for little kids, bring the sunscreen, it's sunny! Definately worth the drive to get up to it!Filed By: Jim Payne
(Lewisville, TX)
Number of People Encountered: 25-50 pplRecommend to a Friend: HighlyReport: I've been going to Irwin off and on for over 25 years. It's a wonderful campground. Since the Irwin Lodge has reopened (early 1990's) it's an excellent short hike from the campground to have a sit down lunch. Great food and incredible views. Hike can be handled by children 6 years and older. For a more challenging hike I recommend hiking to the top of Ruby Peak by way of the mining road that snakes around the base of the mountain. A little 'four wheeling' on hands and knees for about 150 yards or so until you get to a relatively trouble free hike to the top which is another 2,500 yards or so. Be sure to look for a cairn of rocks denoting the 'Brown Bear Moutaineering Club' registry. This will take most of the day. Quite a bit of exposure through most of this hike so don't attempt the Ruby Peak hike if you know weather is going to be a factor or you're not prepared. Not for younger kids. Be aware that the Irwin area is surrounded by quite a bit of private property so please be respectful.

Recreation Opportunities

Activity

Remarks

On Site

Camping

Lake Irwin Campground

Yes

Automobile Travel

Kebler Pass - West Elk Loop Scenic Byway

No

Cold Water Fishing

Lake Irwin

Yes

Hiking & Walking

Lake Irwin Trail, Scarps Ridge Trail

Yes

Mountain Biking

Dike Trail

Yes

Canoeing

Lake Irwin

Yes

Scenic Driving

Kebler Pass - West Elk Loop Scenic Byway

No

Related Activities

Lake Irwin Picnic Ground - The Lake Irwin Picnic Ground is especially with anglers. Most summer days visitors can see fish biting insects on the surface of the lake.